Openness w/psychs

I’m curious as to how open everyone is with their psychiatrist/psychologist/therapist, any professional you’re seeing really.

I know personally I definitely have not mentioned any alters to mine (I see a psychiatrist as well as a psychologist). I’m scared because I don’t know how it would affect our relationships. I’m always soooo broad or generalized with them.

I ask because recently something happened and I have been informed through the grapevine that another has joined us. I have not met him, though apparently he and Lou “share a room” so to speak.


-Lauren

I am not extremely open with my psychiatrist. I originally went to see him because of the "voices" It wasn't until Meagan's attempt that things got screwy (how do you explain that someone else inside drove her to the ER?) So then he started listening better, enough to be trustworthy, but it was at least 6 months before even THAT conversation was allowed. He diagnosed DID but he doesn't know any of the other's names or histories and is kind enough to give me space about it.
As for my therapist, I went to see her from the first day to learn how to control Meagan, but I didn't tell her anything pertinent. Actually we went more than a year, never disclosing, with no one out except a couple of times, very briefly. My hand was forced though because I hadn't told her about the voices and just gave answers that I knew were "healthy" responses (Look at me! I'm so together! Sure. Right. ) But one day, my T said I was doing so well that we should go to every 3 or 4 weeks because she doesn't "foster dependence." I got freaked out and started sweating and panicking because I knew I really needed help but didn't know how to tell her the reality of my situation. And having the stability of the appointments was the only string holding my life together.

So I figured it was now or nothing. I asked for one more session the following week because there was one more thing I needed to tell and she said ok. I opened up small with "Sometimes I think, maybe, perhaps just a little bit, I might be hearing some small chatter in my head, but then again it may be nothing so I guess we shouldn't dwell on it." Thankfully she got more info out of me without me really knowing it or feeling pushed to tell more.

My T was very supportive, re-assured me that I was not crazy (still not sure about that lol), said I needed to go to the psychiatrist, but was overall kind of non-chalant but very caring about it. Over the next few weeks, I felt more and more trust, so I opened up even more. Now I would say, I surely do wish I had seen this T 20 years ago. Maybe life would have easier earlier. Definitely college would have been! I, for the most part, feel completely safe with her now. Some of the others still have probs with that but I guess it is to be expected.

Note that it was a long process. Maybe some can jump in with a therapist/etc, but that terrifies us. Especially because previous experience with T's and doc's was not pleasant, to say the least. Some may have been downright unethical. Not to mention the histories of some of the others not being amenable to trusting ANYONE.

Sorry this was long.
DeAnna

Thank you for your response. I don't at all mind the length. (:

I've had toxic encounters with psychologists in the past, and at the time it made me lose faith in the entire process. But I've since bounced back and gave it another whirl. I'm so glad I did too, I adore my docs. Our personalities seem to fit seamlessly and I have never felt the discomfort I did in the past with either of them.

I think the scariest part for me is getting down to what caused my "split(s)"
With my psychologist I have alluded to abuse in my past, but never said it outright and certainly never went into detail about it. (Well the limited details I have anyway... ) And even recently when something related happened I didn't tell her. I really wanted to, but I've never been good at getting the ball rolling.

Now my psychologist and my psychiatrist are both out of town for two weeks (they're married which I find hilarious) and I'm going to try to use that time to pump myself up to tell my psychologist. I almost just used the phrase "drop the bomb" in reference to telling her, and I think that's a really accurate way to describe my fears about what could be the fallout of telling her.

I'm also so grateful none of my alters seem to be vehemently opposed to me doing this.

I'm just a big scaredy cat about this sort of thing. Haha. But I really want it to come from me.

Thanks again. I greatly appreciate your help.
-Lauren

Hi.
I don't have DID, but I have known several people who have. I imagine you have heard of Trudy Chase. In her book that she and her Alters (Troops) wrote, she requested that all her sessions be filmed. Bold move Huh? She said that she wanted her therapy to some day help others. I have often wondered how she is since her Notoriety. Last I heard, even though Therapy had helped many of her Alters openly identify themselves, there are still those who would not. Including the original Trudy. Fascinating women.
I think people who have DID are the truest testament of the will to survive. I respect you all Very Much for your strength.
With Hope,
One

I'm pretty open with my therapist, took me a while to trust him, as I should have.
He's trained in IFS (internal family system therapy) so he's used to working with people's parts,
it's just easier to talk to mine since I have DID.

We both set our boundaries and things go well.
What helps me, is that we film sessions at my request and only I get a copy to them,
I use them to help me remember the session if it gets intense.
If I'm not ready to watch the film yet, I won't remember watching it.